Two Canadian air force student pilots made history late last year, when they became the first two Canadians to train in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program with the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard AFB, Tex. While Sheppard has hosted Canadian instructor pilots in the past, 2nd Lt. Reg Reimer and 2nd Lt. Bertram Cronshaw are the first two student pilots to go through ENJJPT. They are participating on a trial basis as the Canadian air force weighs options for maintaining a steady flow of new fighter pilots as it expands. Reimer had his first solo flight in a T-6A trainer aircraft on Dec. 12, while Cronshaw went solo five days later. Both will return to Canada for their follow-on training. (Sheppard report by A1C Adawn Kelsey)
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…